Lamp holder and fastener



Jan. Y J c TA 1,944,040

LAMP HOLDER AND FASTENER Filed Dec. 23, 1932 INVENTOR WITNESSES ATTORNEY Patented Jan. 16, 1934 4 UNETED STATES PATENT GFFICE 2 Claims.

This invention relates to a device which is designed and adapted for utilizing one of various articles to constitute a base for illuminating means, and at the same time to hold and fasten the illuminating means on the base in a manner so that by reason of the assemblage a lamp of decorative appearance will be composed.

The articles from which a selection may be made to provide a suitable base, embrace vases, fish bowls, and discarded receptacles and containers.

The illuminating means may consist of an electric light bulb.

The invention consists in the simple, efiicient and inexpensive device hereinafter fully described and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 is a View illustrating the device employed by way of example in conjunction with a fish bowl, electric light bulb and shade to constitute a lamp in accordance 'with the invention.

Figure 2 is a side view of the device applied to the bowl for supporting the light bulb, a part of the device being shown in section, and only the upper end of the bowl being shown.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the device itself.

Figure 4 is a modification of the securing or fastening means.

The device for the present invention consists of means for carrying or supporting the light bulb, and means for securing or fastening the device to the article which is to constitute a base. The said means for carrying or supporting the light bulb consists of a clamp 10 having co-operative jaws or clamping members 11 under the influence of a spring 12 which urges the jaws or clamping members 11 toward each other, and each of the jaws or clamping members 11 has a manipulating portion 14 for opening the jaws or clamping members 11. It is to be understood that any suitable light bulb carrying means may be provided instead of the clamp 10. The means for securing or fastening the device to the upper end of the article constituting the base is connected with the clamp 10, and in the present instance also provides the pivot for the jaws or clamping members 11. The said securing or fastening means consists of a piece of spring material such as wire which is bent and formed to provide resilient members 15 joined by an expansible and contractible loop 16. The resilient members 15 have their upper portions bent in substantially inverted U-shape, the extremities thereof being held together by a tubular member or clip 1'7,

and said extremities below the tubular member or clip 17 extending through the lugs on the jaws or clamping members 11 to provide the pivot for said jaws or clamping members 11. A member 18 is slidable on the resilient members 15 and frictionally engages therewith to contract the loop 16 when moved downwardly on said resilient members 15, and allows said loop 16 to expand when the member 18 is moved upwardly to a position near the upper ends thereof. The member 18 has a shoulder 19 for a purpose to appear.

The device may be employed as shown in conjunction with a fish bowl or the like 20 having an outwardly directed rim 21 on its upper open end. The device is applied by engaging the open loop 16 over the rim 21 and by sliding the member 18 downwardly on the resilient members 15, the loop 16 will be contracted in engagement with the bowl 20 below the rim 21, and at the same time bringing the shoulder 19 of the member 18 in engagement with the rim 21. In this manner the device will be securely held in position on the bowl 20 with the clamp 10 disposed centrally over and above the bowl 20. An electric light bulb 22 may be readily gripped by the clamp 10 to support the same over and above the bowl 20 as shown. A shade 23 of any suitable design may be supported by the bulb 22.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that the device serves as an adaptor for utilizing an article such as a fish bowl and an electric light bulb on which a shade may be arranged, and the assemblage constituting a lamp of decorative and attractive appearance. I

It is to be understood that the loop 16 of the device may be of various shapes and sizes to be applicable to the upper ends of vases, bowls and kindred articles, which are of various shapes and sizes.

On reference to Figure 4, it will be apparent that the loop 16 may be contracted by globular members 24 connected with the resilient members 15. These globular members 24 may be snapped into and out of inter-locking engagement. When the members 24 are snapped into interlocking engagement with each other, the loop 16 will be securely contracted in engagement with the bowl or the like to securely hold the device in position.

I claim:

1. An adapter for securing illuminating means to an article to constitute a base therefor comprising a holder for the illuminating means, a securing element connected with said holder composed of resilient members joined by an expansible and contractible loop engageable with said said members at their lower ends, said members having downturned upper end portions brought together to constitute a pivot, cooperative clamping jaws each of which is pivotally connected with said pivot, and means which cooperates with said resilient members to contract said loop in engagement with a suitable base to secure the device thereto.

JULIUS C. TAM. 

